Ian Rush: Rafa Benitez needs international stars to return in top condition

Oct 13 2009

By Ian Rush, Liverpool Echo

INTERNATIONAL breaks are the bane of a manager’s life and never more was that evident in the weekend just gone – if anything, Rafa Benitez could not have scripted it to go any worse. Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt all picked up injuries to some degree and with a crucial run of fixtures set to begin this Saturday, it goes without saying that all three men will be needed to play a part. Kuyt, thankfully, will be back at Melwood in plenty of time to receive treatment on his damaged ankle but Benitez will be worried as to what happens to Gerrard and Torres tomorrow evening. You would hope, therefore, that Fabio Capello and Vincente Del Bosque – both of whom have been club managers – will exercise some commonsense. Full story at Liverpool Echo website - click here